Buffalo River TN 7/9/11

Last weekend we went on a girls camping trip to the Buffalo River in Lobelville Tn.  On Sat all 12 of us did a 7 mile float that took about 5-1/2 hours. 7 of us in Kayaks and 5 in inner tubes.   The Buffalo river is a class I & class II river.  The current is decent and it was a relaxing and beautiful float.  The majority of the 7 miles is undeveloped.  Tall rock cliffs and thick woods was our scenery for most of the way.  Nice clear water and quiet, I recommend this float!

Ghost River Float June 6th, 2011 My 4th Kayak adventure

My 4th adventure was a 9 mile float on the Ghost River section of the Wolf River.  The Wold River Conservancy sponsors a "First Saturday Float" each month during the summer and that was the trip I went on.  We had a guide and there were about 20 people on this trip.  Some of the prettiest areas were inside the Ghost River section but I couldn't take pictures due to maneuvering through very narrow passageways in between trees.  Some sections are so narrow that only a single file line is possible.

There was only one portage site on this trip due to a large downed tree blocking the channel.  There are 6 numbered spots along with numerous trail markers on this 9 mile stretch to guide you along.  A description of the 6 numbered spots can be found on the WRC website (see link on the main blog page).  This section of the Wolf River is a wild swamp river with lots of bottomland hardwood trees.  There was virtually no sign of civilization on this float until near the end when we passed a hunting club that has a few cabins near the water.

This trip is full of breath taking views of Cypress/Tupelo gum swamps and one area called Spirit Lake looks like a mini Reelfoot Lake.  It is full of wildlife including Eagles, bobcats, egrets, herons, LOTS of snakes, etc.  Towards the end of the float we passed the mouth of Mt Tena Creek which is part of the Memphis sand aquifer (source of our drinking water) and some areas look reminiscent of he everglades.

I recommend this float to everyone but be prepared to paddle the entire time.  It takes between 5 and 6 hours and if you are on the guided trip you will stop and get out one time and that is the lunch stop.  I would like to do this float again on my own and not on the guided trip so I can stop, take pictures and enjoy it a little more.  Jane and Randall went with me and they said the same thing.  It is such a breathtaking area that you want to take your time to enjoy all the scenery - as long as you start early enough in the morning so you can be finished by dark.

Introduction

First of all let me start by saying I am not a writer.  In fact I am horrible at it so this blog will feature more pictures than words.  I just wanted a place to log my various Kayak trips and to share pictures.  I have had my kayak in the water 4 times now with a 5th trip coming up in a few days.  My first 3 times were not float trips but me just playing around and fishing.  1) Little Red River in Heber Springs AR.  2) Enid Lake, Enid MS  3) Private pond in Potts Camp MS.  My 4th trip will be my my next blog entry.   I have a goal of being in the water at least once per month and the way our weather is here I think that will be possible for probably 10 of the months.